An independent audit finds OCTA is complying with Measure M ordinance and found no deficiencies; annual TOC hearing will be held at OCTA headquarters
ORANGE – An independent third-party audit of the Orange County Transportation Authority recently determined that the agency is complying with the requirements of Measure M, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements countywide, and found no deficiencies.
The accounting firm of Crowe LLP was hired by the OCTA Board of Directors to conduct a third-party independent audit for the fiscal year that ended in June 2023. The audit came in response to a request from the independent Taxpayers Oversight Committee, an 11-member oversight committee that monitors OCTA’s use of the voter-approved Measure M funding.
“We’re pleased to see that the results of the audit further confirm that OCTA continues to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, using funds as promised to voters to improve all modes of travel,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “It reinforces our mission to keep Orange County moving safely and efficiently with innovative transportation solutions.”
The Taxpayers Oversight Committee (TOC) is responsible for reviewing annual audits and holding a public hearing each year to determine whether OCTA is proceeding in accordance with the Measure M Ordinance. For 32 consecutive years, the TOC has found OCTA has delivered as promised to voters who approved Measure M.
This year’s public hearing – the 33rd for Measure M – is scheduled for:
6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, at the Orange County Transportation Authority headquarters, 550 S. Main St. in Orange.
Measure M was overwhelmingly supported by voters who renewed it in 2006. The original measure was approved in 1990 and led to more than $4 billion in transportation improvements. It also allowed Orange County to access an additional $1.2 billion in state, federal and other funds for improving transportation.
Measure M will continue funding balanced and sustainable transportation improvements through 2041, with revenues expected at more than $14 billion. Measure M funds have also helped leverage more than $3.5 billion in external funding, so far. The voter-approved funding plan allocates 43% to freeways, 32% to streets and roads, 25% to transit, and includes two environmental programs to preserve open space and to help capture transportation-related pollution for cleaner water quality.
Ongoing transportation enhancements include improvements to freeways, streets, synchronized signals and improved intersections. Orange County has the highest ranked pavement condition of any county in the state, due in large part to Measure M funding that goes to cities for street maintenance. Measure M also makes possible Metrolink regional passenger rail service in Orange County.
Those unable to attend the public meeting can submit comments by visiting octa.net/PublicHearing.
For more information about Measure M or the Taxpayers Oversight Committee, please visit octa.net/TOC.
